[center][h1][b][i]Reflections II[/i][/b][/h1][/center]
[center][h2][i]The Holy Quintet & The Order of the Phoenix[/i][/h2][/center]
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An ethereal melody spread across all of Keltra as song and spell came together to weave the tapestry anew and suffuse creation with otherworldly power. Courage could feel the enchanting aura of Kindness as her sister called upon the Gnosis to stir forth one of their sleeping kin now, the ever-shifting and swirling marks of sorcery dancing across her scarred skin as though they were ebon serpents entwined and coiling around each other. Courage felt captivated by the sight, watching as Kindness completed the spell with a shimmering burst of light, and an awakened Reflection of the reticent champion arose from the floor.

The one that would be known as Kindness II examined her surroundings briefly, possessing sight which contradicted her memories of being blinded. However, the Reflection was rather quick to regain her senses and functionality. “I am Kindness the second, and you are my antecedent. I suppose I could be considered your progeny… but I digress, there are more pressing matters to attend to.” She said as she introduced herself in her ever soft, yet monotonous voice, and Courage found that she was once again attempting to understand the thoughts behind the familiar dispassionate demeanor of her sister’s replica. She refrained from relying upon her bond with Kindness, relishing the brief challenge this task was while it lasted.

“We should begin the ritual to integrate our Reflections into our bond, and then proceed with integrating them into our connection with Charis as well. Afterwards, Charis shall cure our blindness, and we can begin our various ventures.” The first Kindness impassively declared, and Courage was all too aware of the emotional intensity hidden underneath that deadpan tone. She wondered whether her sister would be so secretly devoted if it had been her that was exiled, and not Fear - these thoughts were ever disregarded though.

“It’s so strange, remembering our shared minds and then being alone in my head again. We’re weaker too, I think.” Curiosity II commented idly, while everyone walked towards where Pride and Charis awaited them by the Eternal Fire. The Keeper of Keltra telepathically communicated to the other members of the Holy Quintet from where she stood, suggesting Curiosity verbally reply to her inquisitive Reflection’s meanderings, offering a swift explanation to use. Courage contemplated why Pride would choose to even intervene when similar remarks aloud from Curiosity were once so common.

“You’ve less spiritual and mental power since our connection combines our sacred flames and allows us to share this power with each other. This shared power weakens the farther apart we are from each other, but we’re still always stronger with it rather than without it, you know.” Curiosity repeated adding a little of her own words, and her Reflection nodded, who only seemed to be half understanding what she was told and was now evidently more preoccupied by playing with Rowan as the original spoke. Curiosity II purred with laughter while she cheerfully held a one-sided conversation with the infant, and Courage chuckled when it was obvious that Curiosity herself wanted to indulge in such blithe behavior.

“I’m pleasantly surprised how this all turned out.” Pride said as they approached her, and the Keeper of Keltra seemed so small beside the much taller Charis. Courage considered the dichotomy of their appearances, the childlike champion and her spirit servant, as even the pigmentation of their skin and hair was reversed, and yet these two held more power than the rest of Keltra’s population combined. Perhaps Wanderer wasn’t completely wrong - being afraid of what Pride has become. Despite often tapping into her thoughts and memories, it was evident that her little sister possessed a much more vast understanding of the workings of the world compared to herself.

Wanderer II was less hesitant than the first iteration, and bravely embraced Pride before stroking the small champion’s hair atop her head. Courage sensed Wanderer’s confusion as they both watched this interaction, and neither could ascertain what caused such a difference. They were as certain as they could be that Wanderer II held the same thoughts and dispositions as her progenitrix, yet she so casually approached Pride who stood next to Charis despite Wanderer being reluctant to do so. Pride fidgeted with a hint of frustration, but did not push away the simulacrum of her sister, and Courage detected something that suggested Pride was aware of what caused the difference.

[i]“Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom…”[/i] Charis chanted with her choral voice, and words stirred something within all of those gathered. The connection between the members of the Holy Quintet granted them strength, but it also came with the danger of forgetting the self and becoming lost between the multitude of memories that they all shared. Inviting their reflections into their bond would increase both the power gained and the risks involved, so the spirit clad in human skin had warned them.

“Look, we should start the ritual, ya. I don’t want to waste time when there’s people that need our help after all.” Still undeterred, Courage and Courage II simultaneously smirked at their sisters as they spoke in sync, the two reassuring their familia with their audacious aura and the ever empowering presence of the Eternal Flame. It was amusing hearing herself speak… They were all in agreement, Courage could tell even without a connection that the Reflections had found their resolve as well, so they gathered in a circle and prepared themselves - Rowan now placed in a conjured crib nearby. Fortunately the majority of the Holy Quintet were present, so they could still cast the spell that would unify all of their minds without issue.

The music that filled the hall began to change, a prelude to what was coming as Courage and all of her sisters clasped hands. They began collectively moving in rhythm to the melody, slowly swirling with nigh silent steps as Charis merely observed them. They were slightly clumsy at first which elicited a few giggles and failed attempts to suppress smiles, then they became more enraptured by their dance, as they swiftly shifted into graceful shapes that blurred and blended amongst themselves. They were glittering contours, like radiant streams interweaving with the occasional clear and crystalline human form surfacing from the current and swimming along its circular repetitive path.

Then they manifested their sorcerous power, and became great spirits that celebrated a connection that transcended the limitations of their smaller bodies. Their thoughts and memories became attached to each other, interlocking with sacred threads that passed through all of them, their minds becoming both the universal one and the diverse many, as the interior of the circle became a field of prismatic flames. It was warm and rejuvenating, and so tempting to just become immersed in every emotion like being enveloped in an endless ensemble of enlightenment, such resplendent robes to be worn.

It was too much, and the more malicious thoughts and memories sought to upheave the jubilant tempo with their thrashing and discordant singing, but the Eternal Fire roared louder and quelled the rampaging feelings before they could overwhelm those in the ritual. Calmed by the flames, they allowed themselves to return to their individual selves, separating themselves by their characteristics and recollections. The Reflections which lacked many of their own experiences and feelings had become truly identically merged with their older incarnations. When Courage opened her eyes, she saw automatically through the eyes of Courage II as well, and she knew it was the same for the rest of her sisters and their simulacrums.

They were all covered in the swirling glyphs of the Gnosis, and stood still while remaining in their ring formation. Their inner flames had been returned inside them, and nothing visibly remained of the colorful fire that had burned inside their circle - in the near silence when only faint musical notes persisted, and they could hear each other breathing, there was the sudden burst of noise as Charis became massive and flew overhead. As she beat her six wings, creating a strange shimmering wind, a few large red and white feathers fell and alighted upon the smiling Heralds of Honor and their Reflections.

As the pinions seeped into their bodies, those that were blind became able to see with their eyes, but they were instilled with another gift: The pale glowing scars across Kindness, Curiosity, and Pride vanished, and their white eyes became red once more, however, all of the members of both the Holy Quintet and the Order of the Phoenix felt something change in their eyes. Their sight became more keen, as details from afar became magnified and enhanced, and every subtle motion became even easier to perceive. Courage felt overwhelmed with awe, experiencing her nascent sight.

[i]“You all carry the blessing of the Phoenix, let us heal the faithful with our sacred power, yes.”[/i] Charis crooned with pleasure, and Courage realized why Wanderer II was less frightened than her counterpart. Every emotion they felt was heightened when it was cultivated and passed on through each other. Wanderer was experiencing her anxieties multiplied by her bond, and now those concerns had grown more potent. Every aspect of who they were was becoming amplified which caused Courage to understand why Pride was reluctant to create her own Reflection, considering how much she had seen. They would have to become more careful when managing their mental development, lest they exacerbate their flaws.

“Now we can help!” Courage II declared, before she leapt high with joy - as she soared upward, Charis descended and changed back into her smaller humanlike shape. Curiosity and Curiosity II performed a playful dance as they parted, the latter then joining Wanderer and the other Reflections as they strode towards a doorway that swiftly appeared to let them outside the keep. Courage watched them leave, and then glanced at Kindness, knowing the pain the absence of Fear caused would not be healed so easily, and adding Kindness II to the bond had only made that pain more sensitive.

“Listen, we’ll rescue her. I promise you we’ll get her back. We’ve got to focus on what’s in front of us, ya.” She said, and was gladdened by the fact that her words seemed to at least alleviate a little of the grief her sister felt. Kindness did not reply, but there was no hostility in her silence, and she offhandedly chose to join Curiosity as she tended to Rowan, both of them no longer requiring the Incantation of Seeing to look after him. Now only Courage and her Reflection stood nearby Pride and Charis, finishing an unspoken conversation quickly as they turned their attention to Skydancer - Pride failing to hide her smile after regaining her sight.

“It’s finally time we tend to the lands outside our home.” Pride said as she walked, and Courage let excitement course through her fiery veins. They still held onto the otherworldly power of the Gnosis, the two sorcerers preparing to perform another ritual as a massive amount of spiritual particles coalesced around both of them. There was a resurgence of evocative music accompanying their casting of the spell; every sound accentuating a flash of scarlet light and ripple in reality as they wove their will over the tapestry.

Unseen ribbons of divine essence exuded from Skydancer, previously blessed by Chailiss, and now blessed by both Courage and Pride. Then the flying boat was engulfed in silvery flames, burning brightly akin to the Eternal Fire, and they could feel a similar invigorating presence that the boat now exuded. It was a second source of life that should sustain Charis outside of Keltra, so that the phoenix could travel with them on their journeys when necessary.

Courage and her Reflection chuckled aloud when Pride satirically shared memories of Charis having difficulties adapting to her physical body, repeatedly stumbling and complaining, while the two of them watched the shape-shifted spirit dramatically leap onto Skydancer before staring back and down upon them with an imperious gaze. It came as a bit of surprise that her little sister still had some humor, and Courage hoped that the mischievous pipsqueak from the past that instigated a coup against their Maker would perhaps resurface more often. Becoming old and wizened shouldn’t deprive one of the ability to have fun after all, the ironic thought of Pride being considered old and wizened only made both Courages continue to lightly laugh.

“Our part is finished, let’s go.” Pride chimed as Courage II carried her onto Skydancer, huffing angrily when she detected Courage’s amusement at Pride’s difficulty with boarding the boat herself, which led to Courage being unable to stifle her mirth. The brash champion could only shake her head as she steered the vessel towards the doorway the others had passed through. It was a very brief flight from the interior of the keep to the wide walkways atop the outer wall where Wanderer and the remaining Reflections awaited. Courage mused upon the nature of their synergy with what was essentially extensions of themselves, and contemplated the consequences of their separated spirits, especially when they would be divided over a great distance.

“Truth suffers from too much analysis.” Pride remarked, reading her thoughts with ease. Courage casually shrugged, as Courage II moved to take over steering, they came to a halt in the air nearby Wanderer and her group atop the wall. All of the champions with their keen eyes could clearly see the vile site where Iqelis had unleashed the deathly effects of his presence upon the land. This blight brought forth righteous anger in all of them, and now they would defy its evil existence and be rid of it once and for all.

They moved with precision, Pride and Courage disembarked to be replaced with Wanderer, Kindness II, Curiosity II, and Wanderer II - But before they set out, Charis had called out, locking eyes with the Keeper of Keltra. [i]“Hmm… What is thy bidding, my little lady?”[/i] The Phoenix regally inquired, adding a touch of quirky formality to the coming conclusion of this quest. Courage looked to see Pride sigh with irritation before the small champion pointed towards the accursed blight, her moment of complaining heard through the telepathic bond before she spoke aloud:

[b]“Cleanse it!”[/b]

“With pleasure.” Charis sang, and then the burning comet that was Skydancer soared towards its destination, letting loose the invigorating aura she had been born with. The Umati, Wanderer, and all of the Reflections held out their hands as they hovered above the plain of death, and then plumes of purifying pale flames poured forth from their palms in an immense cleansing inferno. Six streams of healing light like radiant columns descending from the heavens washed over the land and burned away the lingering filth that prevented the renewal of life. Even the polluted stench of sorrow and putrid soil was consumed by their celestial conquest that began when they had seen the horror of needless cruelty and viciousness for the first time on that night long ago.

The flames had remained only within the confines of the blight, avoiding too much interaction with the realms beyond it - as none among the Order of the Phoenix wished to disturb the daily activities of other beings too much. Wanderer had already warned the creatures of Kel-Phelena that this temporary disruption would only consist of a wondrous display of aerial maneuvering and pyrotechnics, describing what happened now; Skydancer flew back and forth like a shooting star until the taint was eventually eradicated. When they were finally finished, the sacred flames dispersed to reveal fertile soil rich with a warmth akin to the majestic sun’s blessed favor.

”I ask myself, why are we doing this if we’re only going to face our demise in the end?” Pride asked, aiming the question at nobody in particular. It was merely one of those questions that remained unanswered until you were hit with an epiphany, and realized how simple the truth had always been.

”Because Pride, with or without our Maker, we will walk farther along the Sacred Path!” Courage proclaimed with a fierce grin.

[hider=Summary]-Kindness creates her own Reflection; Kindness II, and so the Holy Quintet/Order of the Phoenix perform a ritual that lets all of the Reflections join in their connection and access to phoenix powers. Kindness, Curiosity, and Pride are also cured of their blindness, and all of the champions are granted a boon: Keen Sight.

-Courage and Pride imbue Skydancer with an invigorating aura, creating the Wandering Flame which is strong enough to sustain Charis’s existence outside of Keltra, allowing the Phoenix to travel aboard Skydancer. They fly outside on the enchanted boat, and prepare to test their power.

-Upon Skydancer, six members of the Order of the Phoenix unleash a storm of sacred fire, burning away the blight that Iqelis created during his visit outside Keltra. The lands have been restored to their previous state, and temporarily imbued with greater sustenance, allowing animals to thrive there.[/hider]
[hider=Spirit]Courage gains 7 Spirit. (+1 minimum, +1 main character, +1 medium, completion of personal quest)

Kindness, Curiosity, Wanderer, and Pride gain 6 Spirit. ((+1 minimum, +1 medium, +4 completion of personal quest)

Charis, Courage II, Kindness II, Curiosity II, and Wanderer II gain 2 Spirit. (+1 minimum, +1 medium)

Courage spends 15 Spirit to consecrate Skydancer with an aura akin to the Eternal Fire.

Pride spends 15 Spirit to consecrate Skydancer with an aura akin to the Eternal Fire.[/hider]
[hider=Prestige]The Holy Quintet gains 1 Prestige.

The Holy Quintet spends 1 Prestige to quickly integrate new members.

The Order of the Phoenix gains 1 Prestige.

The Order of the Phoenix spends 1 Prestige to quickly integrate new members.

The Order of the Phoenix spends 5 Prestige to upgrade its members granting them Keen Sight. This allows them to see far away things as though they were much closer, and more easily discern subtle/hidden movements.[/hider]